In true Helen Dalton style, the newest Member for Murray made her family links to Ned Kelly clear, and stood resolutely in her stance as a farmer, teacher, and a fighter. While thanking her "kitchen cabinets and confidences" and every person who stood behind her in a shared victory, she put on the Hansard record her resolution to stop the "deliberate rusting off" of her electorate. Calling Murray's rural hospitals "glorified band-aid depots" with comparisons to services to detention centres like Naru, she said Murray's people were known for their resilience and "defined by our optimism" but now have had enough. "There is a very good reason why I am here," Mrs Dalton told Parliament house on Wednesday. "Government and bureaucracies are dismantling one of Australia's most productive industries. The irrigation sector. "Water is the lifeblood int he bush. If we have it we thrive, if we don't we die. Regional towns are dying. "I could tell you many other horror stories ranging from matters diverse as stagnate household income, poor educational outcomes, dysfunctional local governments and abhorrent water quality, poor access to the internet and insufficient mobile coverage, and you will find rural NSW drifting further behind Sydney at an alarming rate." Her speech contained many invitations for her fellow parliamentarians to come out to Murray and see the issues faced in the bush. Mrs Dalton was swarmed by those in the room to congratulate her when she had finished, including a congratulations from the Chairman. Mrs Dalton and Mr Banasiak, both former school teachers, said they have made the education minister Sarah Mitchell aware of serious concerns with our schooling system, most notably in regional areas. Mrs Dalton raised the issue of school mergers in regional areas, saying the merger of Griffith and Wade High Schools in her electorate has been a disaster. "On any give day, up to 12 classes are not covered due to teacher shortages," Mrs Dalton said. "Student absenteeism rates have skyrocketed. More than a third of the students have unacceptable attendance records. She said that parents and students are furious, and demanding action.

Helen Dalton's maiden speech as Member for Murray

PARLIAMENT: Earlier in the day, Mrs Dalton joined Upper House member Mark Banasiak in a call on the NSW education minister to urgently address a crisis in the NSW public school system.

In true Helen Dalton style, the newest Member for Murray made her family links to Ned Kelly clear, and stood resolutely in her stance as a farmer, teacher, and a fighter.

While thanking her "kitchen cabinets and confidences" and every person who stood behind her in a shared victory, she put on the Hansard record her resolution to stop the "deliberate rusting off" of her electorate.

Calling Murray's rural hospitals "glorified band-aid depots" with comparisons to services to detention centres like Naru, she said Murray's people were known for their resilience and "defined by our optimism" but now have had enough.

"There is a very good reason why I am here," Mrs Dalton told Parliament house on Wednesday.

"Government and bureaucracies are dismantling one of Australia's most productive industries. The irrigation sector.

"Water is the lifeblood int he bush. If we have it we thrive, if we don't we die. Regional towns are dying.

"I could tell you many other horror stories ranging from matters diverse as stagnate household income, poor educational outcomes, dysfunctional local governments and abhorrent water quality, poor access to the internet and insufficient mobile coverage, and you will find rural NSW drifting further behind Sydney at an alarming rate."

Her speech contained many invitations for her fellow parliamentarians to come out to Murray and see the issues faced in the bush.

Mrs Dalton was swarmed by those in the room to congratulate her when she had finished, including a congratulations from the Chairman.

​Earlier in the day, Mrs Dalton joined Upper House member Mark Banasiak in a call on the NSW education minister to urgently address a crisis in the NSW public school system - caused by teacher shortages, poor planning and an under investment in school infrastructure and resources.

Mrs Dalton and Mr Banasiak, both former school teachers, said they have made the education minister Sarah Mitchell aware of serious concerns with our schooling system, most notably in regional areas.

Mrs Dalton raised the issue of school mergers in regional areas, saying the merger of Griffith and Wade High Schools in her electorate has been a disaster.

"On any give day, up to 12 classes are not covered due to teacher shortages," Mrs Dalton said.

"Student absenteeism rates have skyrocketed. More than a third of the students have unacceptable attendance records.